Do You Really Need A Water Saving Shower Head?

Heard about a water saving showerhead before? Your local plumber or home renovator might have told you about it. And for a good reason: they want you to save water. But how good is a water saving showerhead really?

Another factor would be the water pressure that would likely be affected. Justifiable as it may be for the purpose of saving water, the feeling of being shortchanged in the shower could make one extend his shower time instead. In doing so, the total water usage may still add up to the same as not having the low flow shower head installed.

How Clean Really?

Since 1994, manufacturers were required to make showerheads that do use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. 2.4 to 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) is the benchmark then for showerheads all over the country. In other households though, the water pressure is lower than 24 gpm, which thus eliminates the need for a water saving showerhead. If you want to know if your household needs one, place a gallon-sized pail under the shower head and note the time it takes to fill it. If it takes longer than 24 seconds to fill to the brim, your water pressure is too low, and you won’t be needing all that showerhead water saving. But if it fills up in less than 24 seconds, then you owe it to the environment and to your wallet to get a Water Saving Showerhead as quick as you can.

Kinds of Shower Heads

Other types of showerheads are also available. The most common probably is the manual type which lets you control temperature by turning on hot and cold taps and mixing the right flow till you get the right warmth you need. On the other hand, an electric shower saves you energy because it heats up only the hot water which you need for your shower. The flow, however, still depends on the main water pressure. This is why you need a Low-flow water saving shower head, to restrict and limit the flow of water. These restrictors may compromise water flow, but thankfully, there are restrictors nowadays, which intelligently detects and maintain and adjusts the water pressure so the ideal gpm can be reached. Other features to look out for are new water saving showerheads that incorporate air into the water, oxygenizing water so to speak.

The Bottom Line

For one, keep the water at the right temperature so you won’t need to run it while waiting for it to get warm. At the first instance that you find your shower leaking, fix it right away, and don’t wait one minute to do it. If you’re really serious about water saving, take only quick showers, or use a timer or even an alarm clock to keep your usage to the ideal number of liters. And perhaps, the best water saving tip of all, shower with a friend.

Save the environment with a Water Saving Shower Head. It’s the only guilt-free way to shower. Your Emergency Plumbers will gladly recommend the top brands.

Your Vegetable Garden Can Blossom By Installing A Rain Water Tank

If you’re a gardener which has an unlimited supply of water, consider yourself as fortunate. You will find the majority of us who live in drought areas where the garden and lawn watering rules are very constrictive to the healthy growth of gardens and plants. When certain gardeners find out how much water you are permitted to use in your garden, they simply stop watering altogether. Various other gardeners learn how to make use of this small amount of water. You’ll find many things you’re able to do to keep your garden looking lush and healthy and also save water at the same time.

A few of these ways consist of drip irrigation ( the use of a hose or pipe with little holes to gradually drip into the roots of the plant), the positioning of plants in groups of equal watering needs ( to prevent wasting water on plants that do not require it), and making use of compost or mulch to insulate the garden and prevent drainage.

But one of the ideal methods to keep your garden flourishing throughout a drought would be to take preventative measures. Sometimes a drought will be forecasted far ahead of time, or those already suffering from a drought will be given a couple of weeks of heavy rainfall. When this happens, you should take the opportunity to install rain water tanks. Many individuals feel that this is unnecessary as we get our water from the town. But it can save you many gallons of water, and hardly involves any work.

Your main issue now would be in selecting a rain water tank that will meet your needs. Rain water tanks come in avariety of different sizes and shapes and colors, so you need to know exactly where you’re going to place your water tank before you purchase one. Today you can put your rain water tank just about anywhere, even underground so you do not use up any space in your backyard.

The object of your rain water tank would be to catch the water runoff from your roof and this really is simply done by hooking up a downpipe to your tank. Once the pipe is hooked up you can forget about it. It does not take very long to fill the tank, just a couple of heavy showers. Once the tank has water in it you can put it to use any time you like not only in the specified time allotments.

By adding a rain water tank you will be saving yourself money also simply because you’ll not be making use of the cities water supply to water your garden. Additionally, there are other ways to use your water tank for instance washing your car and filling your swimming pool. Once you become aware of when you use water around the house you will be amazed on how much water you are saving.

You’ll be the envy of all houses in your neighborhood through the drought stricken times as you’ll have a lush and healthy garden. In the long run the expense for your water tank will pay off as it will reduce the volume of water you use from the city supply and also reduce your water costs.

If you need details on slimline rainwater tanks, then visit Tight Spot Tanks on how to choose the best rainwater tanks for your requirements.

Eco-Friendly Materials And Procedures For Painting Your Home

The use of eco-friendly practices and materials has recently become a marketing and education focus in the house painting industry. New to most homeowners, many of these products and techniques have been gaining acceptance in the paint industry. While many painting contractors are happy to add these techniques to their businesses, others are reluctant. It is important for eco-friendly consumers to educate themselves about these techniques and procedures prior to hiring their painting contractor.

The recent emphasis on environmental consciousness and socially responsible actions is aimed at individual citizens, consumers and businesses. These developments have made it more important for house painting companies to discuss eco-friendly options with consumers.

Increase in consumer awareness and demand for eco-friendly paint and paint techniques have brought the prices of eco-friendlier materials to a level roughly equal to conventional paint prices. Many painting companies today can now make green methods and techniques part of their standard business practices and offerings.

Similarly, painting companies that have long included sustainable practices can now make their regular business more ecologically sound. New and gentler paint products regularly arrive at stores. There have also been advancements in the methods used for stripping paint, recycling waste and minimizing chemicals in the painting projects themselves.

House painting consumers need to be informed and ask their painting contractor about their eco-friendly painting practices. Some painting contractors say they are green friendly, but may still use conventional paints and skip using the low or non VOC paints. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, which are chemicals that paint releases until it drys. These VOC’s contribute to air pollution when released from exterior house paints and stains.

Many paint manufacturers now produce at least one line of low VOC or zero VOC finishes and paints. Some companies also produce entirely natural paints and finishes created from natural, raw source materials including plant dyes, resins and oils. The vast majority of these products are water-based. Very few new paint products are made in oil bases, though there are a few stains and sealers derived from orange peel oil.

Low and zero VOC paints and finishes are a happy improvement over the older interior and exterior paints that are still manufactured. Natural paints, created from readily available earth ingredients, are the most eco-friendly paints available today. These natural paints are good alternatives to the conventional style paints. They are all cost effective methods for adding color and vibrancy to the inside or outside of your home while being gentler for humans and the environment.

Not only should an eco-friendly painting company be knowledgeable about low or zero VOC paints, they should also offer those products across the paint product spectrum. Stains, varnishes, primers, plasters, special finish coatings and even chemicals used to strip old paint from the walls should be ecologically friendly. Additionally, a truly ecologically conscious paint company will also have ecologically sound practices in place for disposing of unused paint and paint containers.

Additionally, there are many small efforts painting companies can make to limit the negative consequences any paint activity can have on the environment. Among these are the standard practices they use to clean their own equipment. Companies on jobs lasting several days or more can get by without cleaning equipment on a daily basis. Waiting until the job is done to clean equipment results in less water consumption. It also saves the consumer money as the company is not transferring the cost to the homeowner on a daily basis.

Reusable cloth drop cloths can be used in place of plastic sheets to protect floors and furnishings from paint splatter or spills. High quality paint brushes and rollers are also an ecological business practice for painting companies, as the longer the equipment holds up, the fewer brushes and rollers they buy thereby keeping waste out of already overburdened landfills.

The methods used by your painting contractor to clean up the waste left after the job should be ecologically sound. This includes recycling materials that can be recycled, donating unused or extra paint to charities and being careful not to generate more trash than is necessary.

By staying informed and making the right green decisions, homeowners and house painters can share in behaving responsibly while making their personal environment a more beautiful place.

Alan Silverstein is vice president of All Los Angeles Painting Company, Inc. in Los Angeles California. Alan has been a los angeles painting contractor for over 26 years. Alan can be reached at alllosangelespainting.com

Going Green When Buying Building Supplies

It is no big secret that the world of today is so very concerned with the entire concept of staying green. We often see such messages appearing within televised media content. The environment really isn’t in the best of conditions, so we could all learn a thing or two about going green. We will now cover how to stay green when buying building supplies.

It is important to keep certain things in mind as you shop for materials to utilize in your construction job. The most important aspect of all is whether or not your choice in materials is associated with non toxic emissions or not. These emissions are very bad for the planet and could even hinder the health of a human being.

It is very important to consider whether or not your materials are recyclable. The greenest of supplies are proudly made from entirely recycled products. You should never forget that your structure could fall while coming face to face with a natural disaster. Will the remains be recyclable or will they rest within a land fill.

When it comes to creating and bringing supplies to the consumer, there are certain processes that involve the consumption of energy. We will take a very careful look at a few of the most energy burning processes involved in the creation and utilization of building materials. This will help you to better understand the concept we are covering.

One process involved with these materials that eats up a great deal of energy is the actual creation process. Building materials originated from natural sources and had to be collected, processed and sometimes even combined into usable building materials. All of these elements require some amount of energy, how much energy does your choice of products require?

We all know that a great deal of pollution and energy waste takes place when a supply is transported and even when it is delivered. If you are considering the rarest of materials that have to be shipped from great distances, please consider the transportation processes that take place and how much pollution they emit.

Do not forget that when deciding how green of a construction project yours will be, you have to not only consider your budget but your special needs as well. Some builders might not be able to afford the costs associated with going as green as they would like. As long as you remember how important it is, take things one step at a time and go as green as you can afford to go. You are still making a difference when it comes to improving the condition of both our planet and environment.

By now, you should be aware of how to go green as you are selecting building supplies for your next construction job. Keep in mind the many factors that come into play and how they relate to the environmentally friendly nature of your products. Do further research on this subject if you want to be as green as you possibly can.

Get the exclusive low down on how to go green when choosing building supplies in our affordable and green roofing supplies review.

Turn Green, Do Your Share: Facts About Eco-Friendly Area Rugs

I’m a big fan of Leo, the Jack of Titanic. I admire that he advocates environmental protection and the fight against global warming. The greenhouses gases from toxins like carbon monoxide and methane harm the ozone layer, which then depletes us of protection against the sun. This leads to slow loss of heat putting not just the Polar Bears and nature to danger, but humans as well. DiCaprio is a staunch supporter of green living to preserve the environment.

A good example of eco-friendly home decorating products are area rugs made from natural materials such as wool, sisal, jute and bamboo.

Wool is one natural material made from sheep’s hair. Don’t worry about the sheep. I’m certain Leo will say that too, because sheep actually need a buzz cut at least once a year. Therefore, instead of just throwing away their soft hair that can also add up to waste, their hair is better utilized as a raw material for consumer products like area rugs. Wool is a renewable resource. In no time at all, the sheep will grow its hair back and would have to get a haircut again. Wool area rugs are a popular choice because of its incredibly soft and durable material.

Bamboo rugs are another natural-made, eco-friendly products. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant hence, using some to make area rugs will not exactly diminish our planet Earth of this useful flora. Like wool, it is a naturally renewable source of area rugs. Bamboo rugs are in shades of green, from its natural color, and are also durable and versatile decors to use.

Jute is also a plant fiber grown in India and Bangladesh. Growing this plant doesn’t use too much fertilizers or pesticides, so it’s naturally healthy and environment-friendly. Area rugs made of jute absorb color fast and act as shields against UV rays, heat and sound.

In addition to natural plant fibers is Sisal from a plant known as “Agava Sisalana,” originally from Brazil and Africa. This cactus plant grows back fast and is also a well-known kind of area rug.

Recycling can help decrease and eliminate waste, particularly the non-biodegradable materials. Some large manufacturers are also doing what they can to produce eco-friendly products. Mohawk and Shaw are two leading companies that make use of recycling. Mohawk reprocess plastic bottles and carpets. They produce area rugs from the polyethylene terephthalate carpet material. Shaw also recycles rugs and carpets to make new carpeting.

There are area rugs made from synthetic materials. Hence, the eco-friendly factor of area rugs depends on the materials used. The sturdiest rugs are those made from natural fibers and wool, which are renewable resources and environment-friendly products.

Lucky for you natural rug decorating has been made so much easier with these shag bamboo area rugs.

The Beauty In Recycling

Before you send it to the landfill, inspect it closely to see if it still has life. One can never be sure, with a little imagination and elbow grease it may very well become a thing of beauty. Heck, who knows, maybe you can even sell it.

These art forms utilize many different materials to create what can only be deemed beautiful in the eyes of the beholder. Unfortunately not all are kind to the environment. Here I’d like to share some of the more friendly and unusual forms that I’ve come across.

A very early form of green art was displayed in the woven designs of blankets and rugs. The Rya rug is one of my very favorites. It has a long history dating back to the 1700s in Finland. The Rya was traditionally used in weddings and months before the happy event, the weaver was summoned to the village to create the special rug. Some were created with a rendering of the happy couple on it, or the family crest. The couple knelt upon the rug to say their vows and then used the rug as a wall hanging in their home to remind them of their special day.

It’s unfortunate that in today’s world so many rugs are made with synthetic fabrics on electronic looms to supply the masses. But on the brighter side there are still artisans out there, that use wool died with naturally made dyes and weave them in the old way, on a hand operated loom. Expensive yes, but worth every penny. So next time you have a need for such an item, check out the naturally made products and save a little piece of the earth.

Back in the pioneer days some of the log cabins were built with sod on the roofs. Today the same strategy is used to help insulate the inside from the outside elements and if you plant vegetables up there you can feed the family. So you see nature does provide and we need to learn how to take advantage of its benefits.

Near Phoenix Arizona, is an entire community built with the sole purpose of protecting the environment while creating a pleasant, working and living space for people. It is solar and wind powered, with water reservoirs and multi-purpose buildings. Its residents are college students and experts on the environment and it is through their imaginations and know-how that Arcosanti came to life.

I would be remiss in this effort to share with you the green art that I have become familiar with in my search of the Internet. I ran across and artist who got his beginings in audio. While recording aquatic sounds he found a way to translat them into vibrantly colored patterns. WOW! He found a way to recycle sound. These beautiful pieces of art would inhance the beauty of any home.

So maybe with just a little effort and imagination we can all save just a little piece of the environment and put it on the wall. Come check out some green art by Jamie at my web site https://www.remembermesite.com

Learn more about keyword #1. Stop by Cheryl Boyce’s site where you can find out all about keyword #2 and what it can do for you.

categories: eco-friendly, green art, recycled, enviornmentally friendly, gifts, color, solar power

Mosquito Fogger: The Ultimate Natural Flea Control For Pests

What is standard with all of the corn rootworms in Kentucky is that their offspring hatch in late spring and the larvae are dangerous to corn roots. Nearly always the majority of injury arises through the month of June. Exactly what can fluctuate among the species is when the eggs are produced. With the west and north species the eggs are laid in the ground at the foundation of corn plants during the past summer time.

The mature of all the three varieties is a tiny green beetle roughly -inch in size. The western corn rootworm is the most usual species targeting corn in Kentucky and is usually identified by the 3 specific black stripes on its light green physique. This kind (also called the spotted cucumber beetle) is more usual than the western, but is only an intermittent pest of corn. This insect is recognized by the 11 notable black spots on the green wing that covers their bodies. The least common of the species in Kentucky is the northern corn rootworm that is certainly lacking in any black markings on the wing covers.

The grown ups emerge in July and can destroy corn later on in the summer months. The grownups will nourish themselves on the upper area of the leaves, frequently focusing damage close to the leaf tips. Deterioration on leaves would seem brownish where the lower layer of the leaf is left out. The adults will feast upon the silks if they are actually present. If this comes about previous to the shedding of the pollens, they have the possibility to intervene with pollination if their amounts are superior.

The damage achieved by the larvae to corn roots might be substantial. Corn plants produce roots on gradual rings, this particular larvae can hurt a few or more complete rings of roots throughout June if communities are intense. Corn plants that were seriously affected by corn rootworm larvae normally fall over partially and may attempt to bend further up. This is attributes of rootworm impairment and is termed ‘goose-necking’ of corn.

Damaged roots will frequently build up a proliferation of supplementary roots and may indicate indications of drought strain even in the course of periods of adequate soil seepage. The damage carried out by the larvae to corn roots can be massive. Corn plants produce roots on accelerating rings, the corn rootworm larvae can hurt a few or more full rings of roots in the course of June if populations are extreme.

Wondercide has devoted themselves to identifying the secrets to top of the line natural flea control available. At present, this company happily delivers specialized skills and information on the best way to eradicate biting, flying, and burrowing pests by utilizing only the top mosquito fogger.

The Best Hot Green Gifts For Anyone

It has become a popular trend over the past couple of years for people to choose green options whenever possible. Whether you are celebrating Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, graduation or a birthday, there are several great green gift ideas available. To make a splash at the next party you attend, try giving some of the hot gifts this year for the eco-friendly recipient.

One hot trend for the chef in your life is a cutting board made out of bamboo as opposed to the usual wooden or plastic boards. Bamboo is an excellent resource because it can be renewed quickly and easily. In addition, bamboo cutting boards do not have any artificial dyes, and they are less absorbent than other cutting boards. This means that it will soak up less water and juices, making it more sanitary than traditional wood cutting boards.

For the person in your group who is always throwing parties, kick off the summer by giving them some solar powered tiki torches. These torches don’t need electricity or dangerous fuels to emit hours of virtual flames. Whoever is lucky enough to be gifted with these will be inviting their friends and family over as soon as possible to give them a try.

How many times have you heard people complaining about their electric bill because they have no idea where all of the energy gets used? With an electric consumption power meter, they will never have to wonder again what is using all of the energy and hiking up their bill. Simply plugging it into the outside power meter makes it easy to see where it is possible to conserve energy.

Those who love to be outside working in the garden will be thrilled to receive a reel lawn mower, which is just as easy to use as their old one. It runs without electricity or gas and can be adjusted to cut the lawn at whatever length is preferred. The green gardener in the family will love having such an eco-friendly tool to keep their piece of the Earth looking beautiful!

A solar charger will be just the right thing to give the person who can’t leave home without all of their electronics or always seems to need their cell phone charger. Just by leaving a cell phone out in the sun, it can be charged enough to make a call. Now anyone can charge their cell phone and much more without worrying about the drain on their car battery.

Why give a gift that someone will probably never use and that won’t contribute to improving the environment? Show the people you love how much they mean to you by giving them green gifts that they can use every single day. Green options are sure to be the hot gifts this year for people who want to give something that is both fun and environmentally responsible.

See more about the best green gifts this year at www.Gifts-911.com. Stop by Gina Ochseo’s website to read more unique gift ideas for anniversaries, birthdays, father’s day and more.

How To Invest In The Environment

For a very long time, money used for good will was called charity, while money used to earn more money was called investing. That’s not the case anymore.

Today, the two ideas are coming together in a financial avenue called socially responsible investing. And both investors and mutual fund operators are learning that this new idea can be profitable, and do some good for the environment and society at the same time.

Bob Guthrie, an investment broker with A.G. Edwards in Burlington, Vt. says, “Socially responsible investing means you don’t have to compromise your own personal beliefs to make money on Wall Street – whatever those beliefs are.”

The idea of selectively choosing stocks for social reasons dates back to the early 1900s, Guthrie said, when church members banded together and refused to invest in tobacco or alcohol companies. The trend continued with investors dodging corporations involved in the Vietnam War, he added, and most recently revolved around companies investing in South Africa.

But growth in this form of selective investing has skyrocketed during the past couple of years as more and more individuals and corporations have moved social and environmental consciousness into the mainstream of their investments. And this impact is being felt worldwide.

With help from stockholders, business practices concerning the environment are starting to change, said Rob Kruger, vice president of portfolio management at Progressive Asset Management. While the issues may vary, he said companies are realizing they will suffer if they aren’t viewed as being socially responsible.

Kruger said, “As this investing community continues to grow, a lot of proposals are being addressed by investors at annual shareholder meetings. A whole spectrum of issues and activities is now being put forward.”

As part of its operation, Progressive Asset Management conducts research for socially responsible mutual funds. The firm screens companies for environmental problems or nuclear involvement — whatever issues their clients want investigated.

As the clock ticks, companies are becoming more cooperative if not anxious to talk about how they are more socially and environmentally responsible.

Guthrie agrees that business practices are changing and says American companies are aware of shareholders who are concerned with the environment.

“Make sure your hard-earned capital is not invested in companies with little concern for the environment,” he advises. “Be sure to keep these things in mind when you invest and companies will too.

Earth News Media is proud to sponsor global reforestation as well as help green communities with their recycling programs, waste management, renewable energy and other green topics.

The 27M Nomad Portable Solar Panel

The Nomad 27M solar panel which utilizes mono-crystalline solar technology has already proven itself to be an extremely convenient and cost effective source of energy. In fact, the Nomad 27M puts out 27 watts and one of the great things about it is that it can be charged during all weather conditions. During clear, sunny spells, a full charge takes approximately four and a half hours. The amount of time required for a full charge does of course depend on the weather, so when it’s partly cloudy, charging takes more or less seven hours, and if the sky is completely over overcast, it may take up to 15 hours. It should also be noted that charging times also vary depending on the type of batteries being used. All in all, when one considers the fact that you’re getting free electricity, waiting for the batteries to charge poses no real problem at all.

Using mono-crystalline solar technology, the Nomad 27M solar panel is by all accounts an outstanding source of free electricity. Not only can the unit be charged during all types of weather, but it also pumps out a generous 27 watts. As far as charging the batteries are concerned, on can expect a full charge within as little as 4 to 5 hours, providing you have sunny conditions. Even when it’s only partly sunny, a full charge will usually take no longer than 7 hours, and if it’s completely overcast, 15 hours is usually adequate. With that said, the actual time it takes for the batteries to recharge fully does also depend on the type of batteries being used. Even though some batteries can take 30 or 40 hours to recharge during adverse weather, it’s not really much of an issue, considering you’re getting electricity with having to worry about bills.

There are two main differences between the 27M and the 13.5M models. First and foremost, the 27M produces a higher wattage, and secondly, it can also store energy for a greater length of time than the 13.5M. The two key differences make the 27M noticeably more efficient than the 13.5M. On a slightly different note, both models use a charging voltage of 12V, although the 27M does have an open 18V circuit.

The Nomad 27M solar panel has been designed with functionality and practicality in mind. For example, the connector cord is housed in a built-in pocket of its own in order to avoid having loose wires, which or course can result in people tripping over them. Also, the unit comes with four strong grommets which make it possible for the solar panel to be positioned at different angles, and if stability is an issue, you’ll also find there are three aluminum stabilizing rods included with the kit.

Unlike many similar products, the Nomad 27M solar panel has been manufactured with durability in mind, and considering it’s also water resistant, it should last you for many years. Even if you leave it standing outside in the rain, the unit will continue working, although of course, if you’re not using it, then it should ideally be folded up and stowed away in the case which comes with the unit when you purchase it.

Jordan Eske believes all people can live eco friendly. And the power of solar helps you get there. The Nomad 27M Solar Panel is a good idea for campers.

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